Earth's Systems
Essential APES!
Global air circulation is affected by
The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat energy by molecules in the atmosphere.
Albedo is the amount of solar radiation that is reflected by a surface – land, water, clouds.
Global air circulation is affected by
- the uneven heating of the earth’s surface by solar energy,
- the rotation of the earth on its axis
- the vertical currents of air, which form convection cells at different latitudes.
- seasonal changes in temperature and precipitation.
The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat energy by molecules in the atmosphere.
Albedo is the amount of solar radiation that is reflected by a surface – land, water, clouds.
Essential APES!
Importance of coral reefs:
Ocean life zones include: estuarine, euphotic, coastal/intertidal, bathyal, abyssal
Importance of coral reefs:
- Biodiversity – they support more species per unit area than any other marine environment.
- Provide ecologic and economic services (over $300 billion per year)
- Buffer shorelines from wave action and erosion
Ocean life zones include: estuarine, euphotic, coastal/intertidal, bathyal, abyssal
Essential APES!
Freshwater life zones include: littoral, limnetic, profundal, benthic
Estuaries are where freshwater and salt water mix, and are often biologically diverse environments.
Lakes with a large supply of nutrients needed by producers is called a eutrophic (well-nourished) lake. Typically are shallow and murky (high turbidity).
Because of high levels of nutrients, these lakes have a high net primary productivity.
Human inputs of nutrients (from atmosphere, urban and agricultural areas) can accelerate the eutrophication of lakes, a process called cultural eutrophication (excessive nutrients).
Freshwater life zones include: littoral, limnetic, profundal, benthic
Estuaries are where freshwater and salt water mix, and are often biologically diverse environments.
Lakes with a large supply of nutrients needed by producers is called a eutrophic (well-nourished) lake. Typically are shallow and murky (high turbidity).
Because of high levels of nutrients, these lakes have a high net primary productivity.
Human inputs of nutrients (from atmosphere, urban and agricultural areas) can accelerate the eutrophication of lakes, a process called cultural eutrophication (excessive nutrients).
Ocean Salinity Map
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